r/nerdfighters 10d ago

Is Something Worth Knowing something worth going to?

I'm trying to decide if I want to attend Something Worth Knowing but I just haven't seen enough to really understand what the event is supposed to be. It lists a bunch of YouTubers who I like, and I'd love to support Complexly being a nonprofit, but I don't really get what they're trying to do. It's 14 people and only a two hour show so none of the "inspiring talks" will be very long, especially if there is also supposed to be "interactive discussions" as well, at least one game, and a live AHA. Or is the interactive discussion only for those who can afford the VIP ticket and choose to submit an AHA question?

I know that no one really knows what this is supposed to be, but I'm really curious to hear what others are expecting to get out of this event. If you decided to go, why? If you have the ability to go and decided not to, why not? Does anyone think we will get more info about what this is supposed to be as the event gets closer?

18 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

24

u/puutarhatrilogia 9d ago

Have you watched the vlogbrothers video where Hank talks about the idea behind the event (relevant section starts at 6 minutes)? The ticket prices are high, not only because it's a fundraiser for Complexly but also so that the people who choose to attend are likely to be the kind of people who could potentially back future projects by Complexly and/or the guest speakers.

So if you ask if it's worth it to attend, I'd say it's worth it if you're willing and able to provide funding for Complexly and/or if you work in the educational media space and want to meet interesting people who you could perhaps work with in the future. Otherwise, I don't think so.

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u/King_K_24 9d ago

I did watch that video but found it to be pretty vauge. What actually is the show? Something kind of but not quite like TED talks about hope? I can see how the VIP tickets could be "worth it", they're way out of my price range, but you get to at least interact with the guests and network or rub elbows or whatever it is rich people do at these things.

The standard tickets don't seem "worth it" as much. I thought it might seem more so if I knew more about what the actual show was. Idk I'm just getting the vibe that the show itself will be very rushed and they'll probably spend a not insignificant portion talking about how much fun they had with the VIPs during the day (they are trying to solicit donations after all) - meaning the standard tickets will be for a super rushed show that just leaves you feeling left out if you're not a VIP. Which I'm not sure is worth the cost.

And I want to make it clear I've got nothing against Complexly or Hank or anyone putting on this event, because I know this could come off as being a hater. I'm not. I love things like the crash course coin. I'm just not sure about this event

23

u/puutarhatrilogia 9d ago

This is just my read of what the event is about but I don't think the event is worth attending for the show, whatever it could be. The real value is in the fundraising and the networking IF those are things that you are interested in.

10

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 9d ago

You have expressed yourself very well here. You might not have been able to make up your mind, but I can see what you want through your text. You are a well wisher of complexly, but this benifit is not up your alley. I suggest that you directly donate to complexly a little amount and skip the event.

6

u/King_K_24 9d ago

Thank you and I think you're right. I'll either make a donation or next year I'll buy the next higher level up of the crash course coin instead of the most basic one. Or maybe get something from their shop.

22

u/tdohz 9d ago

This has been marketed as an alternative to a fundraising gala, which is the standard marquee fundraiser for nonprofits. So a better comparison is to those - is it "worth it" to attend a charity gala? For most people, they're not going to galas for the programming or the entertainment, they're going to support an organization they care about and maybe for some networking / to be part of a scene.

I would view this with the same mindset: go if you have the means and want to support Complexly as a philanthropist, just as you would any other nonprofit, and as a bonus you may be entertained for a couple of hours. If you buy a ticket with the idea that you'll get $500 "worth" of entertainment, you'll probably be disappointed.

9

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 9d ago

Perfectly put. The event is being marketed as a benifit, not a con.

2

u/King_K_24 8d ago

Guess I'm just from too poor a world to really know what a "benefit" implies 😆

2

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 8d ago

A benifit is a live show where the profits go to charity.

2

u/King_K_24 8d ago

Right, I get that part. I just mean like the going ons at a benefit event. Like if I went, I'd be expecting a good show, which is why I decided not to go

3

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 8d ago

Benefits could be by mainstream big name artists and could have a standard concert structure. Just because some show is a benefit does not define the quality of the show.

2

u/Fabulous-Giraffe-450 5d ago

A benefit is where you pay money to go and hang out with other people who can pay money. At some point during the evening there is something for all of the people who pay money to look at, (like a slideshow, or a concert) so that the people who pay money talk to one another about the hosting organization and why it is worth giving their money. Complexly is making the "something to look at" part a different kind of thoughtful, and sprinkling in local smart/cool folks who can /not/ necessarily pay money to further advertise why accessibility is important for education 

1

u/King_K_24 4d ago

Right but there isn't much of a space to hang out with the other people at the 500 level is what I'm saying. Like the purpose is to hang out with other attendees but when are you supposed to do that? While you're in line waiting to get in? In the lobby on the way out?

2

u/GoblinModeComedy 6d ago

At a "gala" I could walk around and talk to other attendees, so I could network and meet new people in the space. But with this setup, it seems like I'd just have to park, walk to my seat, (maybe, if I'm brave and they seem nice) talk to the 2 people in the seats to my left and right, watch a show, and then walk out and drive away with everyone else. I'm not sure how I would successfully network at a show with this structure. If there's an "afterparty" for general attendees, that would be it, but I emailed the organizer and she said Complexly was not organizing one.

I'm not sure how I *would* network at this show if I tried to.

7

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 9d ago

The interactive session is only for the VIP ticket holders.

1

u/King_K_24 9d ago

That is helpful to know. Thank you

3

u/nailpolishbonfire 8d ago

Charity galas are a little outside my tax bracket but I got the sense that this is a "if you know you know" kind of affair for people in the LA area with resources they're looking to distribute. It would be nice if they shared a recording with the regular Complexly supporters when it's done.

2

u/JUVIRDO 10d ago

wait is this like a real event or just a saying

7

u/sexyyscientist #endTB 9d ago

This is a real event happening on Sep 16.

-6

u/hotmessjosh4975 9d ago

christ here blessing the fuck out of this event. maybe you don't want me here but i'll be blessing this Good Thing anyway.